On Thursday 9th November the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) was proud to host an important public forum featuring four well-known Irish public figures who discussed their experiences of four separate fact-finding trips to Israeli-occupied Palestine.

The meeting saw former-RTE broadcaster Mike Murphy, actor Neilí Conroy, and journalist and lecturer Dr. Harry Browne in conversation with Betty Purcell, TV producer and Irish Human Rights and Equality Commissioner. It took place on Thursday 9th November in Dublin.

Mike Murphy is a retired and legendary RTE broadcaster, who is well known to generations of Irish people for shows such as The Live Mike, Winning Streak, The Arts Show and The Big Interview. In September 2017 Mike travelled around the West Bank visiting Hebron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem and other areas.

Neilí Conroy is stage and screen actor known for her roles in Love/Hate, Trial of the Century, Intermission, and The Van as well as numerous theatre appearances. In April 2017, Neilí visited The Freedom Theatre in Jenin Refugee Camp to work with young Palestinian actors.

Harry Browne is Lecturer in the School of Media, Dublin Institute of Technology, as well as an activist and journalist. His journalism has appeared in numerous publications, including the Irish Times, Sunday Times, Irish Daily Mail, Evening Herald, Sunday Tribune and Sunday Business Post. Harry has written two books, most recently The Frontman: Bono (In the Name of Power) (Verso, 2013). Harry visited the Gaza Strip in January 2013 and saw the aftermath of the November 2012 Israeli attack.

Betty Purcell, who moderated the proceedings, is an Irish Human Rights and Equality Commissioner, freelance television producer and media consultant. Previously Betty worked as a Senior Television Producer with RTE and over 33 years has produced countless radio and television programmes. Betty has written a book on broadcasting Inside RTE (New Island, April 2014) and on Nicaragua Light After Darkness (Attic Press, 1987). In October 2015 Betty visited the West Bank on an olive harvesting trip.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video reflect the opinions of the speaker(s) only and do not reflect the views of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign unless otherwise explicitly stated.